Needle bearing wear reduction arrangement

摘要

A needle bearing wear reduction arrangement for causing a series of needle bearings to positively circumferentially migrate in the annular space between a trunnion and a bearing cup. A free floating washer has a series of radially extending circumferentially spaced serrations on the washer face proximate one of the ends of the needle bearings. During relative movement between the trunnion and bearing cup, the lubricant flow in the annular space causes the washer face to intermittently engage the ends of the needle bearings and one or more of the serrations pick up and move one or more of the needle bearings circumferentially between the trunnion and bearing cup. The serrations are spaced differently than the circumferential spacing of the needle bearings to ensure that the washer will not ride with all of the needle bearings.